GoodNews Letter
Number 352 December 29, 2010
ALL THINGS NEW
"And He that sat upon the throne said, 'Behold, I make ALL THINGS NEW.' And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."
The New year is near. Only a few days remain for 2010. All kinds of NEW thoughts emerge at the end of each year. Yes, it's time for RESOLUTIONS. You know, those promises we make but never keep.
However, when it comes to the words of Jesus, the Christ, we are assured that whatever He says will be done. And, here we must notice His words, carefully. Our Lord did NOT say, 'Behold, I make all new things.' He will make "all things new." So, we get the idea that, the in the NEW CREATION, all things will become new by cleansing the old, making it fresh and new. The Lord just needs to remove sin out of the old creation that He saw before the Fall of man. God was pleased with the result, stating, "Behold, it was very good" (Ge 1:31).
We get some support for this New Creation meaning from the Greek language. The word for our english 'NEW' is 'Kainos' (kahee-nos) in the greek; which, Thayer translates Rev. 2:15: "I bring all things into a new and better condition;" Thayer's Gk-Eng. Lexicon, pg 317.
Thus, we visualize the mountains, oceans and remaining creation the same; only, no longer polluted with sin. Further, when we study the Spiritual work accomplished by the Holy Spirit, we see that the New Creation occured in our hearts when we trusted Jesus Christ as our savior. Thank God for His Word. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Kainos is the Greek word for each english "new" used in this verse.
At this point, let me give you my thought on our 'new and changed spirit' that took place at our first faith in Jesus. We did not get a new spirit at that time, I don't think. Rather, the old "dead in sin" spirit was taken from its unrighteous state and placed into the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And, it was an eternal transfer. If we received a new spirit, that would mean we would be change into another person.
To me, in 1959, I was lost but now am found. Not only would those words make a great and amazing spiritual song, it's what happen when I was saved. And, when we remember that the Old System (Law) could not be attached to righteousness of Jesus due to the 'breakage' and the 'renting'that would occur (Mt 9; Mk 2:21), we see that it had to be removed. To established the NEW, it was necessary to removed us out from under the Old. But, the same person was changed. His spirit entered Christ and God sees a sinner, no longer. I was changed by the Holy Spirit when I trusted Jesus and was transformed. God did the work. I only, had to believe what He said.
And, when we enter the New Creation, our understanding grows as we join with a New Testament Church. We learn from the church position. Notice, I did not say, "we experience the NEW only in church;" for, we were saved by grace. However, in the service-sense, only within the body can we learn what truly happened when we were first saved. There are a lot of false teachings out there, remember.
Yes, the time made us feel great and clean. But, to follow the order set by Christ, we learn what was accomplished on our behalf as we assemble together, listening to the word preached. It's the "teach them to observe all things" meaning of His words (Mt 28:19-20).
Notice a few blessing that come from assembling in His name. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches:" So, from Revelation 2:17, we read that those with ears to hear shall "eat of the hidden manna"; receive a "white stone" and receive "a New name." The words are so special and spiritual that only Jesus and the one getting the name know what it is. Now, that's closeness of fellowship, my friends.
The blessings of the new creation continues; including the position of ruling over the nations; of which, hearers shall have "power over" (Re. 2:26); and, will be given "the morning star" (v28). Overcomers are also given "white raiment" (Re 3:5); become a "pillar in the temple of My God:" and, have the"name of ...New Jerusalem" written upon them (3:12).
Church members shall also be granted the glorious sitting with Jesus "in My throne" (3:21). But, pay close attention to v 22, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." If you are saved then check your hearing. Is it from "Thus saith the Lord?"
Indeed, there are some new things coming for the earth. The lost will miss them. The saved will see them; but, the church body, with ears to hear, will experience them. Take a close look at those changes. Go to Jesus and the Word, only. Everyone needs to find what He said about His Kingdom; that we are to pray for its coming (Mt 6:9). And, when you earnestly read, your service-life will change. No longer will it be a case of HAVING to go to church; but, it will be a blessing of GETTING to go to church. Let's not wait until then. Let's change NOW!